Indonesian President Joko Widodo has announced that East Kalimantan will be the new site of the country’s capital.
“The government has conducted in-depth studies in the past three years and as a result of those studies the new capital will be built in part of North Penajam Paser regency and part of Kutai Kertanegara regency in East Kalimantan,” Widodo said in a media briefing on Monday.
The President said that he will endorse the recommendation to their Congress so that a bill will be introduced on the relocation of the country’s capital from Java.
The new capital will act as the center of government, while Jakarta would remain the country’s business and economic hub.
A team of experts made research on the site of the new capital. The area should relatively be free from earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
In his latest State of The Nation Address, Widodo urged lawmakers to support his move to transfer the new capital to Kalimantan.
“The capital is not only a symbol of our nation’s identity, but also represents our nation’s development. It’s for the sake of realizing an equitable and just economy,” Widodo said.
